A council worker is facing jail after allegedly ignoring the coronavirus lockdown to throw a 'riotous' birthday party for her two teenage children.
Isabel Mercado, from Mendoza in Argentina, has since quit her job and could be jailed for up to 15 years after being charged with spreading a dangerous and contagious disease.
She has admitted throwing the party for her children, saying she "did not know what she was thinking of".
Her husband Eduardo Cuesta, and the owner of the house where the party was kept, have also been charged.
Prosecutor Mariana Cahiza said if they are found guilty they could be jailed for between three and 15 years, according to reports.
Video footage of the party appears to show Mercado wearing a cream top as the guests throw coloured powder and flour over each other.
No one appears to be wearing a face mask or respecting social distancing measures.
The event was cut short when a concerned neighbour called police.
Argentine president Alberto Fernandez authorised the country's individual provinces to decide how to deal with the coronavirus pandemic resulting in parties and crowded gatherings in Mendoza being banned.
Mercado resigned from her job as Coordinator of Institutional Relations following a public backlash.
Mendoza mayor Fernando Ubieta said he has accepted her resignation as he had no other choice.
He added: "I am very sorry to have to make this decision, first and foremost because I know the quality of the person that Patricia is and the very important work she was carrying out."
Mercado said: "Because of my children's 18th and 15th birthdays, we decided to follow tradition and throw eggs and flour, which takes no more than an hour, which is what happened.
"I did not know what I was thinking of and I take full responsibility for what happened, I allowed myself to follow the feelings and love of a mother."
She also apologised "for not respecting the orders".
The investigation is ongoing.
According to the latest figures from the Johns Hopkins University, Argentina has registered 6,278 coronavirus cases and 314 related deaths.
